Goodbye Afghanistan

Australia's war in Afghanistan is over, with Australian Defence Force combat troops in the air on their way home.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Defence Minister David Johnston announced on Monday that the last Australian troops had left Oruzgan for good.

''This war is ending, not with victory, not with defeat but with hope that Afghanistan is a better place and that Oruzgan in particular is a better place for our presence,'' Mr Abbott said in Sydney.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, pictured with troops during a recent visit to Tarin Kowt, has announced the last Australian soldiers left Oruzgan on Sunday. Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Abbott said that Australia left the province with better infrastructure, government and medical facilities. He also added that girls there now go to school. But the Prime Minister acknowledged that Australia had paid a high price for the 12 years of war in Afghanistan, which saw 40 ADF members killed and 261 seriously wounded.

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When asked if he considered the price worth it, he replied: ''If you look at the benefits for our country, for Afghanistan ... my conclusion is, yes, it has been worth it.''

''But not for a second would I underestimate the price that's been paid by individuals and families and the price that will continue to be paid,'' he said.

As Fairfax Media reported on Sunday, there are fears for the lives of Afghan interpreters who worked with the ADF, after an interpreter was killed in a suspected Taliban revenge attack, while he waited for resettlement in Australia.

The killing has heightened fears for the safety of about 600 interpreters who remain in Afghanistan despite an Australian government promise they would not ''be left behind'' when the Diggers withdrew.

On Monday, when asked about the interpreters, Mr Abbott said: ''We're getting people out as quickly as we can.''

Senator Johnston said that in honour of those who had been killed, the ADF would now assess the last 12 years of war.

''We will bring home the lessons learned,'' he said.

Defence Chief David Hurley said he remained "immensely proud" of the ADF's contribution in Afghanistan.

"I think the ADF can look back with honour and pride in what it has achieved in the province."

About 400 Australian military personnel will remain in Afghanistan, mostly in Kandahar and Kabul, in training and support roles.

There is bipartisan support for the withdrawal of Australian troops. Australia's withdrawal was signalled by previous defence minister, Labor's Stephen Smith, and comes as other international forces wind down their commitments and hand over to Afghan forces.

Labor Leader Bill Shorten said that he echoed the Prime Minister's comments on Monday.

''Australia's military forces have done an outstanding job,'' he told reporters in Perth.